‘Maleficent’ and ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’: Review Revue

This week at the multiplex, we’ve got a legendary villainess (“Maleficent,” starring Angelina Jolie and Elle Fanning) and some silly cowpokes (“A Million Ways to Die in the West,” starring Seth MacFarlane and Charlize Theron). Find out what the critics have to say on Rotten Tomatoes.

“Maleficent”

In the past few years, audiences have been treated to a tough-as-nails Snow White, an emotionally complex Snow Queen, and, ahem, “Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters.” “Maleficent” offers a more sympathetic take on the evil fairy queen from “Sleeping Beauty,” but critics say that an outstanding performance from Angelina Jolie and some striking visuals can’t redeem the movie’s slack narrative and uncertain tone.

Maleficent (Jolie), a powerful fairy, is betrayed by a childhood friend, who becomes a king; in turn, she places a curse upon his daughter. As the child grows up, however, Maleficent reconsiders her feelings, even as the king plots her destruction. “Maleficent” is currently at 44 percent on Rotten Tomatoes’ Tomatometer; check out some of the reviews here:

Fresh: “There’s really only one special effect in ‘Maleficent’ worth mentioning, and that is Angelina Jolie.” — Moira MacDonald, Seattle Times

“A Million Ways to Die in the West”

Some comedies fail because they’re short on gags. On the other end of the spectrum, critics say the problem with “A Million Ways to Die in the West” is that it has too many — writer/director/star Seth MacFarlane packs so many jokes into this Western spoof that the most inventive comic moments are often elbowed aside by scatological smuttiness.

MacFarlane stars as Albert, a cowardly rancher in a wild west town who falls for Anna (Charlize Theron), who’s handy with a gun. However, Anna is married to a wanted outlaw, and soon Albert is in his crosshairs. “A Million Ways to Die in the West” is currently at 35 percent on the Tomatometer; here are some of the reviews:

Rotten: “Some of it sputters, settling for smiles instead of laughs, and much of it flounders while the slapdash script searches, at exhausting length, for ever more common denominators in toilet humor.” — Joe Morgenstern, Wall Street Journal

Rotten: “MacFarlane has corralled a great cast, which makes it especially disappointing that the movie’s merely OK.” — Elizabeth Weitzman, New York Daily News

Rotten: “The real problem with ‘A Million Ways to Die in the West’ is one of editing. There are a million jokes in it, but only 500,000 of them are funny.” — Michael O’Sullivan, Washington Post

Fresh: “It’s well-made, often (and outrageously) funny, and manages to keep up the pace and interest for nearly two hours. Clearly there’s more to MacFarlane than a bad Oscar show, ‘Ted’ and some Fox-TV toons.” — Stephen Whitty, Newark Star-Ledger.